Detachable electrical connector



Dec. 31, 1968 HAYS 3,419,843

DETACHABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 28, 1956 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,419,843 DETACHABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Kenneth Scott Hays, Exton, Pa., assignor to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed Feb. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 530,664 3 Claims. (Cl. 339 -47) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A connector for electrical conductors or the like comprises counterpart terminals each provided with a tongue having a hole and a keyhole slot and bolt means disposed in the hole, the tongues being connected together with the bolt means mating with the larger section of the keyhole slot and the terminals being moved relative to each other causing the bolt means to be disposed in the smaller section of the keyhole slot whereby the bolt means are tightened to secure the terminals together.

The present invention relates to a new and improved connector used for joining two electrical conductors or for joining a conductor to a binding post, and particularly relates to a detachable electrical connector which is made up of counterpart terminals locked together by bolts to effect a secure mechanical and electrical connection.

The invention aims particularly to provide an effective connector which is so simple in its construction and in its manner of use that it is substantially foolproof.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a detachable electrical connector made up of counterpart terminals which interlock against separation in any direction.

Another object is to provide a detachable connector having a substantially large electrical interface between the counterpart terminals when the terminals are interlocked.

A further object is the provision of counterpart terminals to form a connector, which terminals are simple and economical in construction, but which are sufficiently rugged to withstand even careless use.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of one of the counterpart terminals of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view showing an alternate tongue configuration of the terminal of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view partially in section showing counterpart terminals in position to be interlocked; and

FIGURE 4 is a view showing the counterpart terminals of FIGURE 3 in interlocked relationship.

As shown in FIGURE 1, each counterpart terminal T, according to this invention, includes a wire barrel 2 preferably crimpable or swageable onto bared electrical conductors of a lead wire W. Barrel 2 'has a flat tongue 4 coextensive therewith. Tenminals T may be formed from electrically conductive sheet metal blanks or they may be formed from lengths of conductive metal tubing according to standard metalworking techniques. Tongue 4 3,419,843 Patented Dec. 31, 1968 has a hole 6 formed therethrough, which accepts the shank of a clamping bolt 8. Head 9 of bolt 8 and associate washer 10 and nut 12 will not, however, pass through hole 6.

Tongue 4 is provided with a keyhole slot 14 'which is dimensioned relative to bolt 8. Portion 16 of slot I14 is of relatively nanrow width, just sufiicient to permit the shank of bolt 8 to move freely therein but is of too small 'a dimension to permit head 9, washer 10 and nut 12 to pass freely therethrough. The extreme edge 18 of portion 16 is semicircular with its center at a point 20, and this extreme edge 18 acts as a 'bolt seat to limit longitudinal movement of one terminal relative to the other when the terminals are interlocked.

The leftward end: 22 of slot 14 is larger than portion 16 and is sufliciently large in its radial dimension to perruit head 9 and washer 10 located in hole 6 of counterpart or complementary terminal T to pass freely therethrough. The section of slot 14 between the large portion 22 and the smaller portion 1 6 forms a channel for guiding the shank of bolt 8 into position.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 wherein two identical terminals crimped onto wires W are shown just prior to interlocking, the bottom terminal is revolved about its longitudinal axis.

Referring now to FIGURE 4 wherein two counterpart terminals are shown in interlocked relationship, an excellent electrical connection is achieved between the counterpart terminals by virtue of the large flat surfaces of tongues 4 being bolted together at two places thus forming a substantially large electrical interface.

In operation, two tenminals having bolts, washers and nuts loosely applied to their corresponding holes 6 are crimped onto bared electrical wires by a suitable crimping tool. One terminal T is revolved relative to the other, as described above, so that heads 9 of bolts 8 are in position over respective portions 22 of keyhole slots 14, FIG- URE 3. The terminal tongues are brought together so that each bolt head 9 passes through its respective portion 22 of the other terminal. Heads 9 are then hooked over the narrow portions 16 of slots 14, and the terminals are pulled in the direction longitudinally away from each other until the shank of each bolt engages its respective stop edge 18. Nuts 12 are tightened to secure the connection. i

To release a connection, nuts 12 are loosened sufiiciently, and the above interconnecting procedure is reversed.

In FIGURE 2, wherein an optional tongue design is shown, a keyhole slot 14 is formed so that large portion 22' and edge '18 are reversed relative to the tongue of FIGURE 1. In a connector utilizing this tongue design, the connecting procedure is identical to that described above except that the terminals are pushed in the direction towards each other just prior to tightening the nuts. This application is desirable in cases wherein physical space is of greater concern than the tensile value of the connection.

It should be noted that terminals according to the present invention may be used to terminate an electrical wire to a binding post with the bolts being threadably disposed in the binding post. Also, screws may be threadably disposed in holes 6 instead of bolts.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and other desirable objectives have been achieved; however, it should be emphasized that the particular embodiments of the invention, which are shown and described herein, are intended as merely illustrative and not as restrictive of the invention.

The invention is claimed in accordance with the following:

1. A connector for electrical conductors or the like comprising counterpart terminals each having a conductorengaging section for connection to an electrical conductor and a tongue provided with a hole and a keyhole slot spaced from each other, said keyhole slot defining an enclosed opening including a large section and a small elongated section, and bolt means having head means disposed in said holes of said terminals, said head means being passable through said large sections of said keyhole slots and said terminals being moved relative to each other causing said bolt means to be seated in said elongated sections whereupon said bolt means are tightened thereby locking said tongues together.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said elongated section of said keyhole slot is directed away from said conductor-engaging section.

3. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said elon- 4 gated section of said keyhole slot is directed toward said conductor-engaging section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 613,663 11/1898 Case 33947 XR 2,398,433 4/1946 Macy 33947 2,556,839 6/1951 Cretella 28764 XR MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

P. A. CLIFFORD, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 28764; 339272 

